The Horticultural Co-operative Marketing Federation (HOFED) has initiated the establishment of 10 potato procurement centres across different districts in Uttar Pradesh to support potato farmers. This move follows directives from Dinesh Pratap Singh, Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Horticulture, Agricultural Marketing, Agricultural Foreign Trade and Agricultural Exports, who instructed on Tuesday that these centres be set up and the procurement process commence without delay.
Inauguration of Centres
On the same day, two centres were inaugurated: one at Indaura Bagh in Bakshi Ka Talab, Lucknow, by Additional Chief Secretary of Horticulture and Food Processing, BL Meena, and another at Mandi Samiti, Satanpur, Farrukhabad, by Director of Horticulture, BP Ram.
Market Intervention Scheme
The entire procurement operation is conducted under the Market Intervention Scheme (MIS), approved by the Union Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare. This scheme ensures direct procurement of potatoes from farmers, thereby eliminating intermediaries and guaranteeing fair prices.
Priority Districts and Pricing
Procurement centres will be opened on a priority basis in districts where market prices for potatoes are currently low. Under the MIS, the market intervention price has been fixed at Rs 650.09 per quintal, with overhead expenses set at Rs 162.52 per quintal. Additionally, the maximum limit for compensation has been capped at 25% of the total procurement cost, which will be shared equally by the central and state governments.
Phased Expansion
Apart from the 10 districts selected initially, similar centres will be established in other districts in a phased manner. The minister appealed to farmers to bring their potato produce to designated procurement centres to avail themselves of the maximum benefits of the scheme.
